Bay Roberts residents could face fines for open burning
By Olivia Bradbury, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
At their May 12th meeting, Director of Protective Services Gregory Squires shared the details of the new by-law, which prohibits residents from open burning from April 15th to October 31st.
Failure to comply with the by-law is punishable by fines. The fine for a first offense will be between $100 and $1000. For a second offense, between $1000 and $2000.
Councillor Dean Franey, a member of Bay Roberts Fire Rescue, offered some clarification for residents. “When the director said no burning during the no burning period, that does not include your small campfire in the backyard in your proper container with a spark arrestor sitting on top of it unless there’s an actual fire ban implemented,” he said. Franey explained that the by-law concerns burning piles of garbage, grass, brush, and the like. “People can still enjoy very safely their backyard fires, roasting their marshmallows and their wieners. That is still allowed.”
Councillor Silas Badcock, another member of Bay Roberts Fire Rescue, recommended that, even when burning something in an approved container, residents have a garden hose or fire extinguishers close at hand. “People are nervous because of last year, so try to be as safe as possible,” he said.
Franey added that public reminders for forest fire season can be found on the provincial government’s website under Forestry, Agriculture, and Lands. This contains information on permits to burn, instructions for high Fire Hazard ratings, conditions under which an open or outdoor fire can be lit, advice on extinguishing, and so on.
Squires recommended that the council adopt the open burning by-law as presented. A motion to do so was made by Franey, and seconded by Badcock. All voted in favour, and the motion was carried.